Reflections from us after the Haverfordwest Paddleboard incident sentencing.

It was with immense sadness that we have read the full details of the fatal Haverfordwest SUP tragedy. Here are a few thoughts that we thought we would share:

• Outdoor environments can be dangerous places, especially if they are not well understood. They also can be very safe and full of joy, but this depends on the safe judgement of those who paddle.

  
  

• Risk assessment is not just a piece of paper that you create once. It is also something you continually do whilst undertaking an activity.

  
  

• If something doesn't feel safe, it may be because it isn't. It is never a problem to ask questions if you feel uneasy, and any guide worth having will be happy to discuss the risks and precautions that are being taken. In asking the question of 'should we be doing this?', you may even be taking some of the pressure of decision making from their shoulders.

• Remember that technical skills are only part of the picture of how you participate safely in adventure sports. Skills like how to plan a suitable trip, understanding environmental conditions, understanding how to choose suitable equipment and how to deal with a problem if things are going wrong are vital. If you're getting into the sport, seek a course that delivers a holistic package of skills.

Participation in adventure sports is amazing, inspiring and empowering. It has changed the lives of all of us in the Paddle The Dee team. We remain committed to creating epic experiences on water for anyone who will come out with us, in the hope they too become inspired to welcome the magic of the outdoors into their lives. We do so with a deep commitment to the safety of staff and participants, and aim to continually develop our standards as we mature as an organisation. All of our guides and instructors are qualified river leaders and coaches through the Paddle UK qualification system, and many of them are white water experts who paddle in their spare time. We really hope that this incident will not turn would be adventurers away from paddle sport, but will impress on us all the need to take our safety seriously.